KARACHI, Oct 12: Syed Sadruddin Shah’s fashionably bred bay colt Raqeeb-i-Azam with a hat trick of wins already under his belt, is fancied in our column to win the main event of the Winter Gymkhana Race Meeting to be held over seven furlongs at the Karachi Racecourse Sunday.

The Tanuf-Mrs Nice Guy sibling, has already won his last three starts reducing the rest of the opposition to mere passengers.

Although going over seven furlongs for the very first time, the bay colt partnered once again by stable jockey Ghulam Shabbir II, has the potential to win this race, with Paddock Fancy, Lippizzaner and Fly To The Sky close on his heels.

All in all seven events have been drawn up on the racing card. The first five will be contested over the sprinting distance of five furlongs, while the sixth will be run over six and the concluding event over seven furlongs.

The first race begins at 1.00pm.

Another runner fancied to win her engagement Sunday, is Shahzadi Erum’s Welcome Shahtab trained by Iftikhar Ali. Participating in the sixth event going over six furlongs, the bay mare should pass the winning post ahead of the erratic thoroughbred chestnut colt Sarazen, with X’Tasy, Guarantee and Ray Of Light joining the fray. Also on the victory trail will be the bay gelding Black Door Man. Going over five furlongs last week, the gelding piloted by jockey Muzaffar Hussain, was beaten in the last stride by Rocket Fuel. The chestnut colt is also in this race but Black Door Man has a seven pound advantage over Rocket Fuel, who should finish second, ahead of Power Plus.

In the opener, the bay filly Genuine Risk, owned and trained by Iftikhar Ali, has the speed to win this five furlong contest from Royal Beauty and top weight My Baboo, with Century completing the frame.

With a good lad astride, the bay filly Superb Star, although carrying a heavy load of nine stones and one pound, should finish the next race ahead of Shining Steel, Lawrence Of Arabia and Reasonable.

Disappointing her band of supporters in her last three starts, finishing fourth, third and second respectively, the bay filly Cute Lady participating in the fourth race, should make amends on Sunday afternoon, flashing past the winning post ahead of Winning Streak, Reincarnated and Black Magic.

The next event seems to be reserved for the highly bred bay colt Prince of Arabia from trainer Razzak’s stable. Prince of Arabia however, will have to break into a sweat in overcoming the likes of another thoroughbred Neelam Taab with Wonder Thunder and front runner Little Sunny completing the frame.

All said and done, and interesting afternoon awaits the racing fans.

Following is the field and our selections:

SEHAR PLATE CLASS IX DIV G-IV & V 5F